Service search device and method, and client device using service search device

Abstract

An attribute item information management section collects attribute item information setting attribute name etc. for searching for a service for each type of service, from servers on the same sub-network and from other service search devices, and holds and manages this information in an attribute item information database. An attribute item notification section obtains a list of attribute items that can be written as search conditions within a search string in response to a search request from a client by referring to the attribute item information database, and returns this list. A service search section executes a service search based on a search string designating attribute items selected by the user from the attribute items list, and returns a service information list obtained as search results. In this way, a service search device flexibly handles change in attribute items for services that can be designated as search conditions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A service search device for providing a search service for searching for a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to a service search request from a client, and returning a search result, comprising: 
 an attribute item information database storing attribute item information relating to attribute items that can be designated as service search conditions; and    attribute item notification means for notifying an attribute item list generated by referencing the attribute item information database to the client as searchable attribute items.    
     
     
         2 . The service search device of  claim 1 , wherein the attribute item information database stores attribute item information formed correlating a service type, representing a type of service, with an attribute item that can be designated for that service, and the attribute item notification means generates a list using only attribute items for a service specified by a service search request from the client.  
     
     
         3 . The service search device of  claim 1 , further provided with attribute item information management means for managing the attribute item information stored in the attribute item information database.  
     
     
         4 . The service search device of  claim 3 , wherein the attribute item information management means collects attribute item information being held and managed by other service search devices and registers this information in the attribute item information database.  
     
     
         5 . The service search device of  claim 3 , wherein the attribute item information management means collects attribute definition information for services directly from the server, generates attribute item information based on this attribute definition information and registers the attribute item information in the attribute item information database.  
     
     
         6 . A service search device for providing a search service for searching for a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to a service search request from a client, and returning the search result, comprising: 
 an attribute item information database storing attribute item information relating to attribute items that can be designated as service search conditions; and    search condition input support means for generating a search condition input interface in order to allow input designation of search conditions in the client by referencing the attribute item information database.    
     
     
         7 . The service search device of  claim 6 , wherein the search condition input support means generates a World Wide Web-compatible search condition input interface.  
     
     
         8 . The service search device of  claim 6 , further provided with attribute item information management means for managing the attribute item information stored in the attribute item information database.  
     
     
         9 . The service search device of  claim 8 , wherein the attribute item information management means collects attribute item information being held and managed by other service search devices and registers this information in the attribute item information database.  
     
     
         10 . The service search device of  claim 8 , wherein the attribute item information management means collects attribute definition information for services directly from the server, generates attribute item information based on this attribute definition information and registers the attribute item information in the attribute item information database.  
     
     
         11 . A client device for transmitting a service search request to a service search device providing a search service of searching for a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to the service search request, and returning results of the search, comprising: 
 receiving means for receiving a list of attribute items that can be designated as search conditions for a service transmitted from the service search device; and    search condition input interface generation means for generating a search condition input interface for allowing input designation of search conditions by a user, based on the attribute item list received by the receiving means.    
     
     
         12 . The client device of  claim 11 , wherein the search condition input interface generation means generates a World Wide Web-compatible search condition input interface.  
     
     
         13 . The client device of  claim 11 , further comprising search result display interface generating means for generating a search result display interface for display of search results to a user, based on a service information list that is the search results transmitted from the service search device.  
     
     
         14 . The client device of  claim 13 , wherein the search result display interface generating mean generates a World Wide Web-compatible search results display interface.  
     
     
         15 . A service search method for providing a search service for searching for a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to a service request from a client, and returning results of that search, wherein: 
 attribute item information relating to attribute items that can be defined as service search conditions is held in advance, and by notifying a list of attribute items generated by referring to the held attribute item information to the client as searchable attribute items it is possible to provide attribute items that can be defined in search conditions by a user.    
     
     
         16 . The service search method of  claim 15 , wherein a search condition input interface for allowing input designation of search conditions from within the attribute item list is generated, and provided to a user.